The James T. Callow Folklore Archive

CHILDREN'S GAMES - RED ROVER

THIS IS A GAME PLAYED BY 2 LINES OF APPROXIMATELY 60 CHILDREN PER
LINE. THE CHILDREN IN ONE LINE SHOUT IN UNISON, RED ROVER, RED
ROVER, LET JOHNNY COME OVER. THE CHILD SO NAMED BY THE OPPOSING
SIDE RUNS SWIFTLY TOWARDS THE OTHER SIDE, IN A TRY TO BREAK
THROUGH IN A PLACE WHERE THERE ARE TWO WEAK CHILDREN. IF HE BREAKS
THROUGH, JOHNNY GETS TO BRING ONE OF THE CHILDREN FROM THE
OPPOSING SIDE OVER TO HIS ORIGINAL SIDE. IF HE DOES NOT BREAK
THROUGH, HE HAS TO STAY ON THE CALLER'S SIDE. EACH SIDE TAKES
TURNS CALLING AND THE GAME ENDS WHEN ONE SIDE OUTNUMBERS THE OTHER
OR SOMEONE GETS HURT.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT

Date learned: 03-00-1982